Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Perm, Russia:

K. A. Chernyi, Head of Chair, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, sms@pstu.ru

Use of materials based on natural potash salt is a known tool of creating high-quality, up to curative effect, room air modifiable under natural activity of sylvinite and carnallite. Facing or decoration of walls, floor or roof in special-purpose surface structures—speleoclimatic rooms—enables air saturation with light air ions. In terms of the Upper Kama Potash Salt Deposit, the main patterns in β- and γ-radiation of radioisotope 40K as the basic chemical element in composition of potash salt are analyzed. The known experimental data on ionization radiation parameters in salt mines are scrutinized and presented, and the data on background radiation in sea shore are given for the comparison. Based on the known physical constants of 40K radiation, track lengths are determined for β-particles (electrons) in potash salt and in air. Intensity of exposure doze of γ-radiation and density of β-radiation flow from natural blocks of potash salts at the Upper Kama Potash Deposit are determined. Using the averaged results, the air ionization intensity governed by 40K radiation and the maximum possible concentrations of light air ions in air medium formed under influence of potash salts are estimated. The reliability of the obtained results is proved using various approaches and empirical dependences. The obtained relations and characteristic estimates make it possible to justify efficient and radiationsafe use of building and facing materials based on potash salt as well as to soundly set requirements and optimal parameters for spatial design of sylvinite speleoclimatic rooms.

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